Hanwha Solutions Forms Solar Alliance with US MS... 2.5GW Module Supply

MS-Driven Solar Power Project from Design to Construction

Hanwha Q CELLS' 168MW solar power plant in Texas, USA, constructed in 2021. Photo by Hanwha Solutions

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] Hanwha Solutions is forming a global solar alliance with Microsoft (MS), the world's largest software company.

MS is promoting an energy transition project aimed at achieving carbon neutrality early by 2030. Hanwha Solutions will not only supply solar power modules for this project but also take charge of power plant design and construction.

Hanwha Solutions announced on the 26th that it has signed a strategic partnership agreement with MS to expand eco-friendly energy and reduce carbon emissions.

Under this agreement, Hanwha Solutions plans to jointly promote various solar power projects with MS. Starting this year, Hanwha Solutions will sequentially supply more than 2.5GW of modules to solar power plants for which MS will sign power purchase agreements (PPAs). Hanwha Solutions will also be responsible for engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) for building the solar power plants. This is the first time in the industry that a global major ICT company directly collaborates with a solar company to procure large-scale renewable energy.

Brad Smith, President of MS, said, "Securing a stable solar energy supply chain is essential for global companies to achieve their carbon reduction goals," adding, "Collaboration with Hanwha Solutions, which integrates solar product manufacturing in the U.S., is expected to play a significant role in MS's rapid transition to eco-friendly energy."

Hanwha Solutions plans to increase the annual solar production capacity of its existing Dalton plant in Georgia from 1.7GW to 5.1GW within this year, and by the end of next year, establish a 'Solar Hub' in nearby Cartersville that will integrate annual production of 3.3GW each of ingots, wafers, cells, and modules. This agreement is expected to play a major role in the early establishment of the 'Solar Hub,' a solar integrated production complex aimed at producing 'Made in America' products.

Lee Gu-young, CEO of Hanwha Solutions Q CELLS division, said, "The partnership with MS signifies Hanwha Solutions' transformation from a solar module manufacturer to a comprehensive energy company collaborating with global corporations," adding, "Based on the Solar Hub, which will be fully operational from next year, we will strengthen our capabilities to leap forward as a leading comprehensive energy company."